Fabric printable medium

ABSTRACT

A fabric printable medium includes a fabric base substrate, which includes yarn strands and voids among the yarn strands. The fabric printable medium further includes a finishing coating attached to the yarn strands of the fabric base substrate to form coated yarn strands. The finishing coating includes polymeric compound or a mixture of polymeric compounds having a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C. The fabric printable medium has pore spaces among the coated yarn strands that coincide with at least some of the voids of the fabric base substrate.

BACKGROUND

Inkjet printing technology has expanded its application to large formathigh-speed, commercial and industrial printing, in addition to home andoffice usage, because of its ability to produce economical, highquality, multi-colored prints. This technology is a non-impact printingmethod in which an electronic signal controls and directs droplets or astream of ink that can be deposited on a wide variety of mediumsubstrates. Inkjet printing technology has found various applications ondifferent substrates including, for examples, cellulose paper, metal,plastic, fabric and the like. The substrate plays a key role in theoverall image quality and permanence of the printed images. Textileprinting has various applications including the creation of signs,banners, artwork, apparel, wall coverings, window coverings, upholstery,pillows, blankets, flags, tote bags, etc. It is a growing and evolvingarea and is becoming a trend in the visual communication and decorationmarket. As the area of textile printing continues to grow and evolve,the demand for new print mediums increases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of examples of the present disclosure will become apparent byreference to the following detailed description and drawings, in whichlike reference numerals correspond to similar, though perhaps notidentical, components. For the sake of brevity, reference numerals orfeatures having a previously described function may or may not bedescribed in connection with other drawings in which they appear.

FIG. 1A is a schematic and cross-sectional view of an example of thefabric printable medium disclosed herein. FIG. 1B is an enlarged,cut-away top view of an example of coated yarn strands of the fabricprintable medium of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method for formingan example of the fabric printable medium.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a printing methoddisclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

When printing on fabric substrates, challenges exist due to the specificnature of the fabric. Some fabrics, for instance, can be highlyabsorptive of aqueous inks, which can diminish color characteristics ofthe printed image. Other fabrics, such as some synthetic fabrics, can becrystalline, and thus are less absorptive of aqueous inks. When the inksare not adequately absorbed, performance issues can result. Thesecharacteristics (e.g., diminished color, ink bleed) can result in poorimage quality on the respective fabrics. Additionally, black opticaldensity, color gamut, and sharpness of the printed images can beaffected, and are often worse on fabrics when compared to images printedon cellulose paper or other media types. Durability, such as scratchresistance, rub resistance, folding resistance, and wind resistance, isanother concern when printing on fabric, particularly when pigmentedinks are used and when the fabric is to be used in an outdoorapplication.

The fabric printable medium disclosed herein is a printable recordingmedium (or printable media) that generates high quality printed imagesthat also exhibit outstanding print durability, in terms of scratchresistance, rub resistance, folding resistance, and wind resistance.

By “scratch resistance” and “rub resistance”, it is meant herein thatthe image printed on the medium is resistant to degradation as a resultof scuffing or abrasion. The term “scuffing” means that something bluntis dragged across the printed image (like brushing fingertips alongprinted image), or the medium can fold over on itself exposing the imageto repeated surface interactions. Scuffing can result in damage to theprinted image. Scuffing does not usually remove colorant but it maychange the gloss of the area that was scuffed. The term “abrasion” meansthat force is applied to the printed image generating friction, usuallyfrom another object (such as a coin, fingernail, etc.), which can resultin wearing, grinding or rubbing away of the printed image. Abrasion iscorrelated with removal of colorant (i.e., with a loss in opticaldensity (OD)). By “folding resistance”, it is meant herein that theimage printed on the medium is resistant to degradation as a result ofbeing folded and being exposed to weight while in the folded state. Thefabric printable medium may be folded when stored and/or shipped. Duringstorage and/or shipping, the folded medium may also be exposed to theweight of another object that is placed on top of the folded medium. Thecombination of the fold and the weight can cause the printed image tocrack or experience colorant removal at or near the fold. By “windresistance”, it is meant herein that the image printed on the medium isresistant to degradation as a result of being exposed to wind. When usedoutdoors or in drafty indoor conditions, the fabric printable mediumexposed to flapping, which can cause the medium to rub against itself oranother object. These conditions can cause the printed image toexperience scuffing or, in worse cases, colorant removal and/or cancause the material of the fabric base substrate to shred.

The present disclosure relates to a fabric printable medium, comprisinga fabric base substrate including yarn strands and voids among the yarnstrands; a finishing coating, attached to the yarn strands of the fabricbase substrate, to form coated yarn strands, the finishing coatingincluding a polymeric compound or a mixture of polymeric compoundshaving a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C.; and porespaces, among the coated yarn strands, that are coinciding with at leastsome of the voids of the fabric base substrate. The present disclosurealso relates to a method for forming the fabric printable medium asdescribed therein and to the printing method using it.

The fabric printable medium disclosed herein includes a finishingcoating on yarn strands of a fabric base substrate. The finishingcoating contributes to the durability of i) the medium itself (e.g., interms of wind resistance) and ii) the image(s) printed thereon, and alsocontribute to the quality of the printed image(s). In some examples, thefabric printable medium also includes a waterproof coating composition.Such waterproof coating composition is positioned at the back of thefabric printable medium (i.e., at the side of the medium that does notreceive ink). The waterproof coating can also contribute to durabilityand image quality.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an example of the fabric printablemedium 10 and an enlarged, cut-away view of coated yarn strands 15 ofthe fabric printable medium 10 are respectively depicted. The fabricprintable medium 10 comprises a fabric base substrate 12 including yarnstrands 14 and voids 16 among the yarn strands 14; a finishing coating22 attached to the yarn strands 14 of the fabric base substrate 12 toform coated yarn strands 15, the finishing coating 22 including apolymeric compound or a mixture of polymeric compounds having a glasstransition temperature is less than 15° C.; and pore spaces 24 among thecoated yarn strands 15 and coinciding with at least some of the voids 16of the fabric base substrate 12. As shown in phantom in FIG. 1A, someexamples of the fabric printable medium 10 also include a waterproofcoating 26 attached to a back-side 20 the coated yarn strands 15.

Fabric Base Substrate

The fabric printable medium 10 includes the fabric base substrate 12,upon the yarn strands 14 of which the finishing coating 22 is applied. Awaterproof coating 26 may also be applied on the coated yarn strands 15.As such, the fabric base substrate 12 is a supporting substrate, in partbecause it carries the coatings 22, 26 and the image (not shown) that isto be printed.

The fabric base substrate 12 includes yarn strands 14 and voids 16 amongthe yarn strands 14. As used herein, “yarn” and “yarn strand” refer to aplurality of threads. In an example, the plurality of threads are spuntogether to form strands. As will be described in more detail below, thestrands may have a fabric structure or may be in the form of fibers. Theyarn strands 14 may include natural threads and/or synthetic threads.Natural threads that may be used include wool, cotton, silk, linen,jute, flax or hemp. Additional threads that may be used include rayonthreads or thermoplastic aliphatic polymeric threads derived fromrenewable resources, such as cornstarch, tapioca products, orsugarcanes. These additional threads can also be referred to as naturalthreads.

Synthetic threads that may be used include polymeric threads. Examplesof polymeric threads include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) threads, orPVC-free threads made of polyester, polyamide, polyimide, polyacrylic,polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyaramid(e.g., Kevlar®), polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®) (both trademarks ofE. I. du Pont de Nemours Company), fiberglass, polytrimethylene,polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, or polybutyleneterephthalate. It is to be understood that the term “PVC-free” means nopolyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer or vinyl chloride monomer units in thesubstrate 12. Synthetic threads may also be modified threads from theabove-listed polymeric threads. The term “modified threads” refers topolymeric resins that have been made into polymeric threads, where thepolymeric threads (one example of the yarn strands 14) and/or thesubstrate 12 as a whole have undergone a chemical or physical process.Examples of the chemical or physical process include a copolymerizationwith monomers of other polymers, a chemical grafting reaction to contacta chemical functional group with one or both the polymeric threads and asurface of the substrate 12, a plasma treatment, a solvent treatment(e.g., acid etching), and/or a biological treatment (e.g., an enzymetreatment or antimicrobial treatment to prevent biological degradation).

In some examples, the individual threads of a given yarn strand 14 maybe made up of the same type of thread (e.g., natural or synthetic). Inother examples, the individual threads of a given yarn strand 14 may becomposites or blends of natural and synthetic materials. The natural andsynthetic materials may be blended during yarn formation and/or fabricweaving and/or knitting. The weight ratio of natural to syntheticmaterial may vary, and may range anywhere from about 1:99 to about 99:1.

It is to be further understood that different yarn strands 14 may beused together in the fabric base substrate 12. In some examples, theyarn strands 14 used in the fabric base substrate 12 include acombination or mixture of two or more from the above-listed naturalthreads, a combination or mixture of any of the above-listed naturalthreads with another natural thread or with a synthetic thread, or acombination or mixture of two or more from the above-listed naturalthreads with another natural thread or with a synthetic thread. In otherexamples, the yarn strands 14 used in the fabric base substrate 12include a combination or mixture of two or more from the above-listedsynthetic threads, a combination or mixture of any of the above-listedsynthetic threads with another synthetic thread or with a naturalthread, or a combination or mixture of two or more from the above-listedsynthetic threads with another synthetic thread or with a naturalthread. As such, some examples of the fabric base substrate 12 includeone yarn 14 containing natural threads and another yarn 14 containingsynthetic threads.

When the fabric base substrate 12 includes yarn strands 14 of syntheticthreads, the amount of the synthetic yarn strands may range from about20 wt % to about 90 wt % of the total amount of yarn strands 14. Whenthe fabric base substrate 12 includes yarn 14 of natural threads, theamount of the natural yarn strands may range from about 10 wt % to about80 wt % of the total amount of yarn strands 14. When the fabric basesubstrate 12 includes yarn strands 14 of synthetic threads and yarnstrands 14 of natural threads (e.g., as a woven structure), the amountof the synthetic yarn strands may be about 90 wt % of the total amountof the yarn strands 14 in the fabric base substrate 12, while the amountof the natural yarn strands may be about 10 wt % of the total amount ofthe yarn strands 14 in the fabric base substrate 12.

The yarn strands 14 may be configured to have a fabric structure. Asused herein, the term “fabric structure” is intended to mean a structurehaving warp and weft that is one of woven, non-woven, knitted, tufted,crocheted, knotted, or pressured, for example. The terms “warp” and“weft” refer to weaving terms that have their ordinary meaning in thetextile arts, and as used herein, e.g., warp refers to lengthwise orlongitudinal yarns on a loom, while weft refers to crosswise ortransverse yarns on a loom.

In an example, the fabric base substrate 12 can be a woven fabric wherewarp yarns and weft yarns are mutually positioned at an angle of about90° (see, e.g., FIG. 1B). This woven fabric may include fabric with aplain weave structure, fabric with twill weave structure where the twillweave produces diagonal lines on a face of the fabric, or a satin weave.In another example, the fabric base substrate 12 can be a knitted fabricwith a loop structure including one or both of warp-knit fabric andweft-knit fabric. The weft-knit fabric refers to loops of one row offabric that are formed from the same yarn strands 14. The warp-knitfabric refers to every loop in the fabric structure that is formed froma separate yarn strands 14, mainly introduced in a longitudinal fabricdirection. In a specific example, the fabric base substrate 12 is woven,knitted, non-woven or tufted and comprises yarn strands 14 selected fromthe group consisting of wool, cotton, silk, rayon, thermoplasticaliphatic polymers, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polypropylene,polyethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass,polycarbonates polytrimethylene terephthalate, polyethyleneterephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and combinations thereof.

The yarn strands 14 may also be configured as fibers or filaments. Inthese examples, the fabric base substrate 12 is a non-woven product. Theplurality of yarn fibers or filaments may be bonded together and/orinterlocked together by a chemical treatment process (e.g., a solventtreatment), a mechanical treatment process (e.g., embossing), a thermaltreatment process, a treatment including another substance (such as anadhesive), or a combination of two or more of these processes. It is tobe understood that the configurations of the yarn strands 14 discussedherein include voids 16 among the yarn strands 14. As such, the fiberbase substrate 12 is porous. An example of the fiber base substrate 12is shown in hidden line in FIG. 1B, including the yarn strands 14 andthe voids 16. The void 16 encompasses the entire space (extending in theX, Y, and Z directions) between adjacent yarn strands 14. Thus, theshape and dimensions of each void 16 depends upon the yarn strand 14 andits configuration (e.g., woven, non-woven, etc.).

Examples of the fiber base substrate 12 may be subjected topre-finishing treatment(s), such as desizing, scouring, bleaching,washing, a heat setting process, and/or treatment with variousadditives. Examples of suitable additives include one or more ofcolorant (e.g., pigments, dyes, tints), antistatic agents, brighteningagents, nucleating agents, antioxidants, UV (ultraviolet light)stabilizers, fillers, and lubricants. As an example, the fabric basesubstrate 12 may be pre-treated in a solution containing the substanceslisted above before applying the coating compositions 22, 26. Theadditives and/or pre-treatments may be included to improve variousproperties of the fabric base substrate 12. The amount of any givenadditive included in the fiber base substrate 12 depends upon theadditive, but may range from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %.

In some examples, the fabric base substrate 12 has a basis weight thatranges from about 50 gsm to about 400 gsm. In some other examples, thebasis weight of the fabric base substrate 12 can range from about 100gsm to about 300 gsm.

Based on the discussion of the fabric base substrate 12, it is to beunderstood that the fabric base substrate 12 may be any textile, cloth,fabric material, fabric clothing, or other fabric product or finishedarticle (e.g., blankets, tablecloths, napkins, bedding material,curtains, carpet, shoes, etc.) that includes the yarn strands 14 and thevoids 16 among the yarn strands 14. It is to be further understood thatthe fabric base substrate 12 does not include materials commonly knownas paper (even though paper can include multiple types of natural andsynthetic fibers or mixture of both types of fibers). Paper may bedefined as a felted sheet, roll or other physical form that is made ofvarious plant fibers (like trees or mixture of plant fibers), in someinstances with synthetic fibers, which are laid down on a fine screenfrom a water suspension.

Finishing Coating and Pore Spaces

The fabric printable medium 10 includes a finishing coating 22. Thefinishing coating 22 is not a continuous layer across the surface of thefabric base substrate 12, but rather is attached to the surface of theyarn strands 14 to form the coated yarn strands 15. The finishingcoating 22 is coated on surfaces of the yarn strands 14 throughout adepth of the fabric base substrate 12.

The fabric printable medium 10 also includes pore spaces 24 among thecoated yarn strands 15. The pore spaces 24 coincide with at least someof the voids 16 of the fabric base substrate 12. By “coincide”, it ismeant that the pore spaces 24 at least substantially align with thevoids 16, so that at least some of the voids 16 of the fabric basesubstrate 12 remain at least partially open to air flow (i.e., are notcovered by the finishing coating 22). This is shown in FIG. 1B. Asdepicted, the finishing coating 22 adheres to the surface of the yarnstrands 14 to form coated yarn strands 15 but does not completely coverthe voids 16. The space that remains between the pieces of the yarnstrands 14 coated with the finishing coating 22 (i.e., the coated yarnstrands 15) is referred to as the pore space 24. As shown in FIG. 1B,the pore space 24 may have a slightly different shape and/or slightlysmaller dimensions than the void 16 with which it coincides.

In examples, the degree of coverage of the finishing coating 22 is suchthat at least some of the initial porosity (voids 16) of the fabric basesubstrate 12 is maintained after the finishing coating 22 is applied toform the coated yarn strands 15. In other words, at least a portion ofat least some of the voids 16 remains open after the finishing coating22 is applied to the yarn strands 14. In an example, at least 33% of theoriginal porosity is maintained after the finishing coating 22 isapplied (i.e., 1 pore space 24 is formed for every 3 voids 16). In otherwords, at least 33% of the voids of the fabric base substrate coincidewith the pore spaces 24 of the finishing coating 22. In another example,at least 50% of the original porosity is maintained after the finishingcoating 22 is applied (i.e., 1 pore space 24 is formed for every 2 voids16). In still another example, at least 66% of the original porosity ismaintained after the finishing coating 22 is applied (i.e., 2 porespaces 24 are formed for every 3 voids 16). In yet another example, 100%of the original porosity is maintained after the finishing coating 22 isapplied (i.e., 1 pore space 24 is formed for every 1 void 16). Theporosity (e.g., voids 16 before coating and pore spaces 24 aftercoating) may be measured by testing the air flow (mL/min) through themedium 10 per Tappi method T526 (e.g., using a Hagerty Technologiesinstrument (from Technidyne)) or per Tappi method T-555 (e.g., using aParker Print-Surf instrument (from Testing Machines, Inc.)), or withanother like method and/or instrument).

As shown in FIG. 1A throughout the fabric base substrate 12, thefinishing coating 22 covers the surfaces of the yarn strands 14 throughthe matrix of the fabric base substrate 12. Throughout the depth, atleast some of the voids 16 and pore spaces 24 remain open. It is to beunderstood that this figure represents the coating 22 on the yarnsurfaces (i.e., the coated yarn strands 15) and also represents the porespaces 24 that are defined between the coated yarn strands 15.

The finishing coating 22 provides the fabric base substrate 12 with inkreceiving properties and durability, while also maintaining theflexibility of the fabric base substrate 12. The characteristics of thefinishing coating 22 are due, in part, to a polymeric compound or amixture of polymeric compounds having a glass transition temperature isless than 15° C. in the finishing coating 22. The polymeric compoundnetwork is i) capable of holding applied ink at the image-side 18 (whichimproves image quality), ii) mechanically strong (which contributes toimproved durability), and iii) capable of being applied to form the porespaces 24 (which contributes to maintaining the flexibility of thefabric base substrate 12).

The finishing coating 22 comprises the polymeric compounds and/or themixture of the polymeric compounds. The glass transition temperature(Tg) of the polymeric compounds, or the glass transition temperature ofpolymeric compounds in the mixture is less than 15° C. By “the glasstransition temperature (Tg) of polymeric compounds in the mixture isless than 15° C.”, it is meant herein that the majority or nearly allpolymeric compounds present in the mixture will have a glass transitiontemperature that is less than 15° C.

In some examples, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymericcompounds, or the glass transition temperature of polymeric compounds inthe mixture is less than 5° C. In some other examples, the glasstransition temperature (Tg) of the polymeric compounds, or the glasstransition temperature of polymeric compounds in the mixture is lessthan 0° C.

Glass transition temperature (Tg) of polymeric compounds can be measuredusing differential scanning calorimetry according to ASTM D6604:Standard Practice for Glass Transition Temperatures of HydrocarbonResins by Differential Scanning calorimetry. Differential scanningcalorimetry can be used to measure the heat capacity of the polymeracross a range of temperatures. The heat capacity can jump over a rangeof temperatures around the glass transition temperature. The glasstransition temperature itself can be defined as the temperature wherethe heat capacity is halfway between the initial heat capacity at thebeginning of the jump and the final heat capacity at the end of thejump.

In some example, the finishing coating 22 includes a polymeric compoundhaving a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C. that isindividually crosslinked. In some example, the polymeric compoundcompounds are selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate,polyurethane, vinyl-urethane, acrylic urethane, polyurethane-acrylic,polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, polycaprolactampolyurethane, polyether polyurethane, polyamine, and a combinationthereof.

In some examples, the polymeric compounds used to make finishing coating22 include rubber emulsion/latex. The types of rubber emulsion/latexinclude, but are not limited to, natural Rubber (NR) or linear polymerof polyisoprene, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Nitrile Rubber orcopolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene, Neoprene Rubber orpolychloroprene, EPDM Rubber or copolymer of ethylene, propylene withdienes such as dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), ethylidene norbornene (ENB),and vinyl norbornene (VNB), Butyl Rubber (BR), or copolymer ofisobutylene with isoprene, polychloroprene rubber, polysiloxane rubberand chloro-sulphonated polyethylene/rubber.

In one example, the polymeric compounds can include a polyacrylate(i.e., a polyacrylate based polymer). Examples of polyacrylates includepolymers made by hydrophobic addition monomers, such as C1-C12 alkylacrylates, carboxylic containing monomers (e.g., acrylic acid,methacrylic acid), vinyl ester monomers (e.g., vinyl acetate, vinylpropionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl-2-ethylhexanoate,vinyl versatate, etc.), vinyl benzene monomer, C1-C12 alkyl acrylamideand methacrylamide (e.g., t-butyl acrylamide, sec-butyl acrylamide,N,N-dimethylacrylamide, etc.), crosslinking monomers (e.g., divinylbenzene, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, bis(acryloylamido)methylene,etc.), and combinations thereof. As specific examples, polymers madefrom the polymerization and/or copolymerization of alkyl acrylate, alkylmethacrylate, and/or vinyl esters may be used. Any of the listedmonomers (e.g., hydrophobic addition monomers, aromatic monomers, etc.)may be copolymerized with styrene or a styrene derivative. As specificexamples, polymers made from the copolymerization of alkyl acrylate,alkyl methacrylate, and/or vinyl esters, with styrene or styrenederivatives may also be useful.

In some examples, the polymeric compound is a polyacrylate based polymerhaving a glass transition temperature less than 15° C. In some otherexamples, the polymeric compound is a polyacrylate based polymer havinga glass transition temperature less than 5° C. In some examples, thepolymeric compound is a polyacrylate based polymer having a glasstransition temperature less than 0° C.

In one example, the polymeric compound can include a polyurethanepolymer. The polyurethane polymer, can be formed by reacting anisocyanate with a polyol. Example isocyanates used to form thepolyurethane polymer can include toluene di-isocyanate,1,6-hexamethylenedii socyanate, diphenylmethanedi-isocyanate,1,3-bis(isocyanatemethyl)cyclohexane, 1,4-cyclohexyldiisocyanate,p-phenylenediisocyanate,2,2,4(2,4,4)-trimethylhexamethylenediisocyanate,4,4′-dicychlohexylmethanediisocyanate, 3,3′-dimethyldiphenyl,4,4′-diisocyanate, m-xylenediisocyanate, tetramethylxylenediisocyanate,1,5-naphthalenediisocyanate,dimethyl-triphenyl-methane-tetra-isocyanate,triphenyl-methane-tri-isocyanate, tris(iso-cyanate-phenyl)thiophosphate,and combinations thereof. Commercially available isocyanates can includeRhodocoat® WT 2102 (available from Rhodia AG), Basonat® LR 8878(available from BASF), Desmodur® DA, and Bayhydur® 3100 (Desmodur® andBayhydur® are available from Bayer AG). Example polyols used to form thepolyurethane polymer can include 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol,1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,6-hexanediol,2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, neopentylglycol, cyclo-hexane-dimethanol, 1,2,3-propanetriol,2-ethyl-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol, and combinations thereof.

In some examples, the isocyanate and the polyol can have less than threefunctional end groups per molecule. In another example, the isocyanateand the polyol can have less than five functional end groups permolecule. In yet another example, the polyurethane can be formed from apolyisocyanate having at least two isocyanate functionalities (—NCO) permolecule and at least one isocyanate reactive group (e.g., such as apolyol having at least two hydroxyl or amine groups). Examplepolyisocyanates can include diisocyanate monomers and oligomers. Theself-crosslinked polyurethane polymer can also be formed by reacting anisocyanate with a polyol, where both isocyanates and polyols have anaverage of less than three end functional groups per molecule so thatthe polymeric network is based on a linear polymeric chain structure. Inone example, the polyurethane can be prepared with a NCO/OH ratioranging from about 1.2 to about 2.2. In another example, thepolyurethane can be prepared with a NCO/OH ratio ranging from about 1.4to about 2.0. In yet another example, the polyurethane can be preparedusing an NCO/OH ratio ranging from about 1.6 to about 1.8.

In one example, the weight average molecular weight of the polyurethanepolymeric compound can range from about 20,000 Mw to about 200,000 Mw asmeasured by gel permeation chromatography. In another example, theweight average molecular weight of the polyurethane polymeric compoundcan range from about 40,000 Mw to about 180,000 Mw as measured by gelpermeation chromatography. In yet another example, the weight averagemolecular weight of the polyurethane polymeric compound can range fromabout 60,000 Mw to about 140,000 Mw as measured by gel permeationchromatography.

The polyurethane may be aliphatic or aromatic. Some specific examples ofcommercially available aliphatic waterborne polyurethanes includeSancure® 1514, Sancure® 1591, Sancure® 2260, and Sancure® 2026 (all ofwhich are available from Lubrizol Inc.). Some specific examples ofcommercially available castor oil-based polyurethanes includeAlberdingkusa® CUR 69, Alberdingkusa® CUR 99, and Alberdingkusa® CUR 991(all from Alberdingk Boley Inc.).

Other examples of the polyurethane polymeric compound that can be usedinclude vinyl-urethane, acrylic urethane, polyurethane-acrylic,polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane, polycaprolactampolyurethane, or polyether polyurethane. Any of these examples may bealiphatic or aromatic. For example, the polyurethane may includearomatic polyether polyurethanes, aliphatic polyether polyurethanes,aromatic polyester polyurethanes, aliphatic polyester polyurethanes,aromatic polycaprolactam polyurethanes, or aliphatic polycaprolactampolyurethanes.

In some examples, the polymeric compound that can be used includevinyl-urethane, acrylic urethane, polyurethane-acrylic is formed byusing vinyl-urethane hybrid copolymers or acrylic-urethane hybridcopolymers. In yet some other examples, the polymeric network(s)includes an aliphatic polyurethane-acrylic hybrid polymer.Representative commercially available examples of the chemicals whichcan form an acrylic-urethane polymeric network include NeoPac® R-9000,R-9699 and R-9030 (from Zeneca Resins) or HYRBIDUR™ 570 (from AirProducts and Chemicals). In still another example, the polymeric networkincludes an acrylic-polyester-polyurethane polymer, such as Sancure® AU4010 (from Lubrizol Inc.).

In some examples, any example of the polymeric compound can include apolyether polyurethane. Representative commercially available examplesof the chemicals which can form a polyether-urethane polymeric networkinclude Alberdingkusa® U 205, Alberdingkusa® U 410, and Alberdingkusa® U400N (all from Alberdingk Boley Inc.), or Sancure®861, Sancure® 878,Sancure® 2310, Sancure® 2710, Sancure® 2715, or Avalure® UR445(equivalent copolymers of polypropylene glycol, isophorone diisocyanate,and 2,2-dimethylolpropionic acid, having the International NomenclatureCosmetic Ingredient name “PPG-17/PPG-34/IPDI/DMPA Copolymer” (all fromLubrizol Inc.).

In other examples, any example of the polymeric compound can include apolyester polyurethane. Representative commercially available examplesof the chemicals which can form a polyester-urethane polymeric networkinclude Alberdingkusa® 801, Alberdingkusa® u 910, Alberdingkusa® u 9380,Alberdingk® u 2101 and Alberdingk® u 420 (all from Alberdingk BoleyInc.), or Sancure® 815, Sancure® 825, Sancure® 835, Sancure® 843c,Sancure® 898, Sancure® 899, Sancure® 1301, Sancure® 1511, Sancure®2026c, Sancure® 2255, and Sancure® 2310 (all from Lubrizol, Inc.). Instill other examples, any example of the polymeric compound can includea polycarbonate polyurethane. Examples of polycarbonate polyurethanesinclude Alberdingkusa® U 933 and Alberdingkusa® U 915 (all fromAlberdingk Boley Inc.).

In some examples, the finishing coating 22 includes polymeric compoundsthat can represent from about 80 wt % to about 99 wt % of the totalweight of the finishing coating 22.

The finishing coating composition used to form the finishing coating 22may include, in addition to the polymeric compounds and water,processing aids, such as rheology control agent(s), surfactant(s) (e.g.,BYK-DYNWET 800 from BYK), pH adjuster(s), defoamer(s), optical propertymodifier(s) (e.g., dye, optical brightening agents (OBA)), orcombinations thereof.

In some examples, the finishing coating composition contains a rheologycontrol agent. As rheology control agent it is meant herein a physicalgelling compound is capable to make a physical network. The physicalgelling compound will be able to generate various physical force, orphysical bonding, to form a gel-like solution. By “gel-like solution”,it is meant herein a solution system that has a low solids content,(i.e. from about 5 to about 30 wt %) but very high viscosity (i.e. above15,000 cps at 30 rpm when measure by a Brookfield viscometer, at 25°C.), at low share stress and that will behave like a non-flowablesemi-solids gel. The rheology control agent are high molecular weightpolymers, i.e. having a molecular weight ranging from about 300,000 toabout 1,000,000. The rheology control agent can be copolymers ofacrylates, copolymers with acrylate-based polyelectrolyte backbone,copolymers with polyester backbone, or copolymers with polyurethanebased copolymer backbone. The rheology control agent can also be acopolymer with polyester backbone. In some examples, the rheologycontrol agent is selected from the group consisting of copolymers ofacrylates, copolymers with acrylate-based polyelectrolyte backbone,copolymers with polyester backbone, and copolymers with polyurethanebased copolymer backbone.

Examples of such rheology control agent include Acusol®810A, AcusolL®830, Acusol®835, ACUSOL® 842 (supplied by Rohm Haas/Dow Co); orAlcogum® L11, Alcogum® L12, Alcogum® L51, Alcogum® L31 and Alcogum® L52(available from Akzo Nobel Co). Still another example of a suitablephysical networking agent is hydroxyethyl cellulose. An example that iscommercially available is Tylose HS30000 (from SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG).

In some other examples, the finishing coating composition containssurfactant. It is to be understood that any of the chemical componentsin the finishing coating 22, and the finishing coating composition usedto form the finishing coating 22, are compatible. In this example,“compatible” means that the components of the finishing coatingcomposition are miscible without phase separation or without forming alayered composition at room temperature. As such rheology, any solidparticles, such as fillers, flame retardants, and lubricant wax areexcluded from the finishing coating composition. The amount of any givenadditive included in the finishing coating 22 depends upon the additivebut may range from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt % of a total weight ofthe finishing coating 22.

In examples, the finishing coating 22 has a dry coat-weight of 6 gsm(grams per square meter) or less, such as 4.5 gsm or less, or 2.5 gsm orless. It is to be understood that the gsm of the finishing coating 22 isgreater than zero.

Waterproof Coating

As shown in FIG. 1A, some examples of the fabric printable medium 10further comprise a waterproof coating 26 on the back-side 20 of thecoated yarn strands 15. In one example, the waterproof coating 26 may beporous, and thus may be similar to the finishing coating 22 in that itcoats the coated yarn strands 15 but allows some of the pore spaces 24at the back-side 20 to remain open. The average pore size of these porespaces may be similar to the pore spaces 24, and may depend, in part,upon the coat-weight of the waterproof coating 26. When the waterproofcoating 26 has a coat-weight ranging from about 1 gsm to about 2 gsm,the at least some of the pore spaces 24 may remain open. In anotherexample, the waterproof coating 26 may be a continuous filmed layer thatcovers the coated yarn strands 15 and the pore spaces 24 at theback-side 20 of the coated yarn network 11. When the waterproof coating26 has a coat-weight greater than 2 gsm, the waterproof coating 26 maybe continuous (i.e., the pore spaces 24 are covered).

The waterproof coating 26 provides the back of the fabric printablemedium 10 with a low enough surface energy to generate a waterprooffunction. In an example, the waterproof coating 26 has a surface energyof less than 40 mJ/m2. In another example, the surface energy of thewaterproof coating 26 ranges from about 32 mJ/m2 to about 36 mJ/m2. Inan example, the waterproof coating 26, and thus the back of the fabricprintable medium 10, has a contact angle greater than 60°. In anotherexample, the contact angle of the waterproof coating 26 ranges fromabout 66° to about 90°. The surface energy and the contact anglecontribute to the waterproof function, which keeps the fabric printablemedium 10 from absorbing water, e.g., when exposed to outdoorconditions, such as rain or snow. As such, the waterproof coating 26improves the weather resistance of the fabric printable medium 10. Thesurface energy (y) can be measured by a Force Tensiometer (such as K11by Kr{umlaut over (υ)}ss, North Carolina).

When present, the waterproof coating 26 may have dry coat-weight rangingfrom about 0.5 gsm to about 5 gsm, or from about 1 to about 3 gsm.

As shown in FIG. 1A, in some examples, at the back-side 20, thewaterproof coating 26 is on a surface of the coated yarn strands 15 anddoes not penetrate into a depth of the coated yarn strands 15, butrather covers the pore spaces 24. In some instances, it is desirable forthe waterproof coating 26 to remain on the back-side 20 so that thewaterproof coating 26 does not interfere with the ink receiving functionof the finishing coating 22 or deleteriously affect the flexibility andsoftness of the fabric base substrate 12.

The waterproof coating 26 includes a physical networking agent to helpretain the waterproof coating 26 on the back-side 20 (withoutsubstantial penetration into the pore spaces 24 among the coated yarnstrands 15) and also includes a waterproof agent to obtain the desiredsurface energy on the back of the medium 10.

The physical networking agent can be a chemical that promotes physicalbonding with the waterproof agent to form a gel-like solution or aphysical network. A “gel-like solution” can have a low solids content(i.e., from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt %) and a high viscosity (>15,000cps) at low shear stress (about 6 rpm) when measured by a Brookfieldviscometer (Brookfield Ametek, Mass.) at 25° C. In another example, thehigh viscosity is 20,000 cps at 6 rpm, and in still another example, thehigh viscosity is 30,000 cps at 6 rpm. A gel-like solution can behavelike a non-flowable, semi solid gel, but is able to de-bond at highershear forces, e.g., 100 rpms or greater, to yield a low viscosity fluid,e.g., less than 500 cps. The gel-like solution is referred to herein asthe waterproofing composition.

As such, the waterproofing composition used to form the waterproofcoating 26 can have thixotropic behavior. As used herein, “thixotropicbehavior” refers to fluids that are non-Newtonian fluids, i.e. which canshow a shear stress-dependent change in viscosity. The term“non-Newtonian” refers herein to fluid having a viscosity change that isa non-linear response to a shear rate change. For example, a fluid mayexhibit non-linear shear thinning behavior in viscosity with increasingrate of shear. The stronger the thixotropic characteristic of thewaterproofing composition when it undergoes shear stress, the lower theviscosity of the waterproofing composition. When the shear stress isremoved or reduced, the viscosity can be increased again. Without beinglimited to any theory, it is believed that such thixotropic behaviorreduces the penetration of the waterproofing composition into the fabricbase substrate 12 and helps retain the composition at the back-side 20surface of the coated yarn strands 15. The waterproofing compositionbecomes thin under shear force when applied by a coating applicationhead (such as under the knife with a floating knife coater). When thewaterproofing composition is deposited (the nip of the blade and shearforce are removed), the viscosity of fluid can be quickly increased andthe waterproof coating 26 can remain on the surface at the back-side 20.

The physical networking agents are high molecular weight polymers, i.e.having a weight average molecular weight ranging from about 300,000 Mwto about 1,000,000 Mw. The physical networking agents can be copolymersof acrylates, copolymers with an acrylate-based polyelectrolytebackbone, copolymers with a polyester backbone, or copolymers with apolyurethane backbone. Another suitable physical networking agent ishydroxyethyl cellulose. In some examples, the physical networking agentis selected from the group consisting of copolymers of acrylates,copolymers with an acrylate-based polyelectrolyte backbone, copolymerswith a polyester backbone, and copolymers with a polyurethane backbone.

In some other examples, the physical networking agent is a copolymer ofacrylates, such as a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylateester; a copolymer having with an acrylate based polyelectrolytebackbone and a weight average molecular weight ranging from about300,000 Mw to about 1,000,000 Mw; a copolymer having a polyesterbackbone and a weight average molecular weight ranging from about300,000 Mw to about 1,000,000 Mw; a copolymer having a polyurethanebackbone and a weight average molecular weight ranging from about300,000 Mw to about 1,000,000 Mw; or a combination thereof. In yet someother examples, the physical networking agent can include an acrylatecopolymer, a polyethylene glycol copolymer, a polyurethane copolymer, anisophorone diisocyanate copolymer, or a combination thereof and thephysical networking agent can have a weight average molecular weightfrom 300,000 Mw to 1,000,000 Mw.

In some specific examples, the physical networking agent is a highmolecular weight copolymer of acrylates (i.e., having a weight averagemolecular weight ranging from about 300,000 to about 1,000,000) such asa copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate ester. Examples ofsuch compounds include Acusol® 810A, Acusol® L830, Acusol® 835, andAcusol 842 (from Rohm Haas/Dow Co); or Alcogum® L11, Alcogum® L12,Alcogum® L51, Alcogum® L31, and Alcogum® L52 (from Akzo Nobel Co); orSterocoll® FS (from BASF). In some examples, the physical networkingagent is an aqueous anionic dispersion of an ethyl acrylate-carboxylicacid copolymer such as Sterocoll FS (from BASF). In some other specificexamples, the physical networking agent is a high molecular weightcopolymer with an acrylate-based polyelectrolyte backbone. Such highmolecular weight copolymers with an acrylate-based polyelectrolytebackbone can be, for example, acrylate acid copolymers that include, inthe backbone and distributed throughout the polymer chain, graftedpendant groups with long-chain hydrophobic groups and acid groups.Examples of such polymers that are commercially available includeTexicryl® 13-317, Texicryl® 13-313, Texicryl® 13-308, and Texicryl®13-312 (all from Scott Bader Group).

In yet some other specific examples, the physical networking agent is ahigh weight average molecular weight copolymer with a polyesterbackbone. Such high molecular weight copolymers with a polyesterbackbone can be, for example, polyethylene glycol copolymers thatinclude, in the backbone and distributed throughout the polymer chain,grafted pendant with long-chain hydrophobic groups and polar groups.Examples of such polymers that are commercially available includeRheovis® PE from BASF.

In still further specific examples, the physical networking agent is ahigh weight average molecular weight copolymer with a polyurethanebackbone. Such high molecular weight copolymers with a polyurethanebackbone can be, for example, copolymers of polyethylene glycol andisophorone diisocyanate, which can have long-chain alkanols at theend-caps and also backbone distributed throughout the polymer chain.Examples of such polymers that are commercially available includeAcusol® 880 and Acusol® 882 (from Rohm Haas).

Still another example of a suitable physical networking agent ishydroxyethyl cellulose. An example that is commercially available isTylose® HS30000 (from SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG).

Examples of the waterproof agent include polyvinylidene chloride (PVC),a polyolefin, poly(ethylene terephthalate), a wax, perfluorooctanesulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid, a hydrogen siloxane, a long chainhydrocarbon, and a modified fatty resin. Examples of the polyolefininclude polyethylene, polypropylene, or combinations thereof. Examplesof the long chain hydrocarbons include at least 100 repeating units.Commercially available examples of the long chain hydrocarbon includeBaygard® WRC (from Tanatex Chemicals) and Ecorepel® (from Schoeller).Commercially available examples of the modified fatty resins includePhobotex® RHP, Phobotex® RSH, and Phobotex® RHW (from HuntsmanInternational LLC).

Microencapsulated waterproofing chemicals, such as Smartrepel® Hydro(from Archroma) may also be used. In still another example, afluorinated acrylic copolymer, such as PHOBOL® CP-C from HunstmanInternational LLC, may be used.

In some specific examples, the waterproof coating 26 includes a physicalnetworking agent selected from the group consisting of an acrylatecopolymer, a polyacrylic acid copolymer, a polyether copolymer, apolyurethane copolymer, and combinations thereof, the physicalnetworking agent having a weight average molecular weight from 300,000Mw to 1,000,000 Mw; and a waterproof agent selected from the groupconsisting of polyvinylidene chloride, a polyolefin, poly(ethyleneterephthalate), a wax, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoicacid, a hydrogen siloxane, a long chain hydrocarbon, and a modifiedfatty resin.

Other functional additives may be included in the waterproof coating 26.Functional additives can be added to control a specific property. Someexamples include surfactant(s) for wettability, defoamer(s) forprocessing control, base or acid buffer(s) for pH control.

Depending on the thixotropic behavior of the waterproof composition andthe chemical environment of the waterproof composition (e.g., such asthe pH), the weight ratio of water:waterproof agent:physical networkingagent:additives may be 100:2:0.8:0.2, and in another example, the ratiomay be 100:2:0.55:0.2.

Method for Forming the Fabric Printable Medium

The method for forming a fabric printable medium, comprises applying afinishing composition, including a polymeric compound or a mixture ofpolymeric compounds having a glass transition temperature is less than15° C., to yarn strands of a fabric base substrate, that includes yarnstrands and voids among the yarn strands, thereby forming a finishingcoating attached to the yarn strands of the fabric base substrate toform coated yarn strands and pore spaces among the coated yarn strandsthat coincide with at least some voids of the fabric base substrate. Insome examples, the finishing composition is applied at dry coat-weightof 6 gsm or less. In some other examples, the method further comprisesthe application of a waterproofing composition to a back-side of thecoated yarn strands, thereby forming a waterproof coating.

An example of the method 100 for forming the fabric printable medium 10is depicted in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the method 100 includesapplying a finishing composition, including a polymeric compound or amixture of polymeric compounds having a glass transition temperature isless than 15° C., to yarn strands 14 of a fabric base substrate 12,thereby forming a finishing coating 22, attached to the yarn strands 14of the fabric base substrate 12 to form coated yarn strands 15 (as shownat reference numeral 102); and pore spaces 24 among the coated yarnstrands 15 that coincide with at least some voids 16 of the fabric basesubstrate 12. Some examples of the method 100 further comprise applyinga waterproofing composition to a back-side 20 of the coated yarn strands15, thereby forming a waterproof coating 26 (as shown at referencenumeral 104 in phantom). In some examples, the finishing coating 22 hasa dry coat-weight of 6 gsm or less.

The finishing composition used to form the finishing coating 22 is anaqueous dispersion of the polymeric compound or a mixture of polymericcompounds having a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C.described herein. The polymeric compound or a mixture of the polymericcompounds having a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C. canrepresent, from about 80% to about 99% of the total solids the finishingcomposition, and the rest may include processing aids that are misciblewithout phase separation or without forming a layered composition atroom temperature.

In some examples, the finishing coating is an aqueous dispersion thathas a solid content of 8 wt % or less by total weight of the finishingcoating composition. In some instances, the solids content of thefinishing composition is 7 wt % or less, or 5 wt % or less, or 2.5 wt %or less (these wt % are expressed by total weight of the finishingcoating composition). It is believed that this solids contentcontributes to the formation of the pore spaces 24.

To apply the finishing composition, any suitable coating technique maybe used that will allow the composition to adhere to the yarn strands 14without filling at least some of the voids 16. The application of thefinishing composition involves using a coating technique to apply thefinishing composition and drying the applied finishing composition. Inone example, the finishing composition is applied using a paddingprocess. In this example, the fabric base substrate 12 is immersed intothe finishing composition and the yarn strands 14 throughout the fabricbase substrate 12 are wetted by the finishing composition. Any excessfinishing composition may be pushed out by a pair of rolls preset withconstant pressure (e.g., ranging from about 10 PSI to about 200 PSI).The composition is then padded by passing the fabric base substrate 12having the finishing composition thereon through nips. The nip width andthe total pick up of the finishing composition are substantiallyconstant over the substrate 12 width and along the whole length of theroll. The finishing composition may then be dried and thermally cured toform the finishing coating 22 and the coated yarn strands 15. In anexample, drying takes place in an infrared (IR) oven with a peaktemperature of about 170° C. The peak temperature may vary dependingupon the polymeric compound or the mixture of polymeric compounds beingcoated. Drying may take place in different temperature zones togradually bring the temperature of the coated substrate 12 up and backdown. The various temperatures may range from about 80° C. to about 175°C. In another example, the various temperatures may range from about120° C. to about 170° C.

Other coating techniques for the finishing composition include afloating knife process or a knife on roll mechanism process. Thefloating knife process can include stretching the fabric base substrate12 to form an even uniform surface. The floating knife process canfurther include transporting the fabric under a stationary knife blade.The knife-on-the roll mechanism (used to apply the composition) can befollowed by passing the substrate 12 and finishing composition throughcalendering pressure nips. The calendering can be done either in roomtemperature or at an elevated temperature and/or pressure. The elevatedtemperature can range from about 40° C. to about 100° C., and theelevated pressure can range from about 500 PSI to about 3,000 PSI.

With the formulation of the finishing composition and the processingparameters, the continuous film of the finishing composition around eachvoid 16 in the fabric base substrate 12 begins to break during thedrying process. The surface tension of the finishing composition helpsmaintain the substantially open structure of the pore spaces 24 whilethe finishing composition stays firmly on the yarn strand 14 surface.

In some examples of the method 100, the waterproof coating 26 is appliedafter the finishing coating 22 is applied. This may minimize anyadhesion impact to the finishing coating 22.

The waterproof composition includes the physical networking agent andthe waterproofing agent. In the composition, the waterproofing agent maybe in the form of an emulsion. As such, in an example, the waterproofcomposition includes a physical networking agent selected from the groupconsisting of an acrylate copolymer, a polyacrylic acid copolymer, apolyether copolymer, a polyurethane copolymer, and combinations thereof,the physical networking agent having a weight average molecular weightfrom 300,000 Mw to 1,000,000 Mw; and a waterproof agent selected fromthe group consisting of polyvinylidene chloride emulsion, a polyolefinemulsion, a poly(ethylene terephthalate) emulsion, an aqueous waxemulsion, a perfluorooctane sulfonate emulsion, a perfluorooctanoic acidemulsion, a hydrogen siloxane emulsion, a long chain hydrocarbonemulsion, and a modified fatty resin emulsion.

Any of the previously described coating techniques may be used to applythe waterproof composition to form the waterproof coating 26. Oneexample of a suitable coating technique includes padding, where thefabric base substrate 12 is immersed into the waterproof composition andthen exposed to padding by going through pressure nips. In anotherexample, the treatment process is achieved by floating knife, where thefabric base substrate 12 is stretched flat to form an even uniformsurface and is transported under a stationary doctor blade. In stillanother example, the treatment process is achieved by rod coating wherea rod (such as Mayer rod) is used to control the amount of the treatmentcompound. Further, in another example, the treatment process is achievedby air knife coating where pressure air is induced to control the amountof the waterproof composition.

As mentioned above, the waterproof composition is gel-like solution thatbecomes thin under shear force when applied by a coating applicationhead (such as under the knife with a floating knife coater). When thewaterproofing composition is deposited (and the nip of the blade andshear force are removed) (at more than 2 gsm), the viscosity of fluidcan be quickly increased and the waterproof coating 26 can remain on thesurface at the back-side 20 of the coated yarn strands 15. In contrast,when the amount of the waterproofing composition that is applied islower (2 gsm or less), the waterproof coating 26 is able to coat theyarn strands 15 and maintain some of the open pore spaces 24. Theapplied waterproof composition may then be exposed to drying to form thewaterproof coating 26.

Printing Method

The printing method comprises: obtaining a fabric printable mediumincluding a fabric base substrate including yarn strands and voids amongthe yarn strands; a finishing coating attached to the yarn strands ofthe fabric base substrate to form coated yarn strands, the finishingcoating including a polymeric compound or a mixture of polymericcompounds having a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C.; andpore spaces among the coated yarn strands and coinciding with at leastsome of the voids of the fabric base substrate; and applying an inkcomposition onto an image-side of the coated yarn strands to form aprinted image.

An example of the printing method 200 is depicted in FIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 3, the method 200 includes obtaining a fabric printable medium 10including: a fabric base substrate 12 including yarn strands 14 andvoids 16 among the yarn strands 14; a finishing coating 22 attached tothe yarn strands 14 of the fabric base substrate 12 to form coated yarnstrands 15, the finishing coating 22 including a polymeric compound or amixture of polymeric compounds having a glass transition temperature isless than 15° C.; and pore spaces 24 among the coated yarn strands 15and coinciding with at least some of the voids 16 of the fabric basesubstrate 12 (as shown at reference numeral 202); and applying an inkcomposition onto an image-side 18 of the coated yarn strands 15 to forma printed image (as shown at reference numeral 204).

In some examples, the fabric printable medium 10 that is providedfurther includes the waterproof coating 26 attached to the coated yarnstrands 15 on the back-side 20. In some examples, when needed, theprinted image can be dried using any drying device attached to a printersuch as, for instance, an IR heater.

Any example of the fabric printable medium 10 disclosed herein may beused in the method 200. The ink is printed onto the image-side 18, whichhas the finishing coating 22 exposed. The finishing coating 22 may beparticularly suitable to receive aqueous pigmented inks (e.g., aqueouslatex inks) to generate vivid and sharp images. The finishing coating 22functions as an ink receiving coating since, during the printingprocess, ink(s) will be directly deposited thereon. The printed imagewill have, for instance, enhanced image quality and durability.

In some examples of the method 200, printing is accomplished at speedsneeded for commercial and other printers such as, for example, HP Latexprinters such as 360, 560, 1500, 3200 and 3600 (HP Inc., Palo Alto,Calif., USA). In some examples, the ink composition is an inkjet inkcomposition that contains one or more colorants that impart the desiredcolor to the printed image and a liquid vehicle.

As used herein, “colorant” includes dyes, pigments, and/or otherparticulates that may be suspended or dissolved in an ink vehicle. Thecolorant can be present in the ink composition in an amount required toproduce the desired contrast and readability. In some examples, the inkcompositions include pigments as colorants. Pigments that can be usedinclude self-dispersed pigments and non-self-dispersed pigments. Anypigment can be used; suitable pigments include black pigments, whitepigments, cyan pigments, magenta pigments, yellow pigments, or the like.Pigments can be organic or inorganic particles as well known in the art.As used herein, “liquid vehicle” is defined to include any liquidcomposition that is used to carry colorants, including pigments, to thefabric printable medium 10 disclosed herein. A wide variety of liquidvehicle components may be used and include, as examples, water or anykind of solvents.

In some other examples, the ink composition, applied to the fabricprintable medium 10, is an ink composition containing latex components.Latex components are, for examples, polymeric particulates dispersed inwater. The ink composition may contain polymeric latex particulates inan amount representing from about 0.5 wt % to about 15 wt % based on thetotal weight of the ink composition. The polymeric latex refers hereinto a stable dispersion of polymeric micro-particles dispersed in theaqueous vehicle of the ink. The polymeric latex can be natural latex orsynthetic latex. Synthetic latexes are usually produced by emulsionpolymerization using a variety of initiators, surfactants and monomers.In various examples, the polymeric latex can be cationic, anionic,nonionic, or amphoteric polymeric latex. Monomers that are often used tomake synthetic latexes include ethyl acrylate; ethyl methacrylate;benzyl acrylate; benzyl methacrylate; propyl acrylate; methylmethacrylate, propyl methacrylate; iso-propyl acrylate; iso-propylmethacrylate; butyl acrylate; butyl methacrylate; hexyl acrylate; hexylmethacrylate; octadecyl methacrylate; octadecyl acrylate; laurylmethacrylate; lauryl acrylate; hydroxyethyl acrylate; hydroxyethylmethacrylate; hydroxyhexyl acrylate; hydroxyhexyl methacrylate;hydroxyoctadecyl acrylate; hydroxyoctadecyl methacrylate; hydroxylaurylmethacrylate; hydroxylauryl acrylate; phenethyl acrylate; phenethylmethacrylate; 6-phenylhexyl acrylate; 6-phenylhexyl methacrylate;phenyllauryl acrylate; phenyllauryl methacrylate; 3-nitrophenyl-6-hexylmethacrylate; 3-nitrophenyl-18-octadecyl acrylate; ethyleneglycoldicyclopentyl ether acrylate; vinyl ethyl ketone; vinyl propyl ketone;vinyl hexyl ketone; vinyl octyl ketone; vinyl butyl ketone; cyclohexylacrylate; methoxysilane; acryloxy-propyhiethyl-dimethoxysilane;trifluoromethyl styrene; trifluoromethyl acrylate; trifluoromethylmethacrylate; tetrafluoropropyl acrylate; tetrafluoropropylmethacrylate; heptafluorobutyl methacrylate; butyl acrylate; iso-butylmethacrylate; 2-ethylhexyl acrylate; 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate; isooctylacrylate; and iso-octyl methacrylate.

In some examples, the latexes are prepared by latex emulsionpolymerization and have a weight average molecular weight ranging fromabout 10,000 Mw to about 5,000,000 Mw. The polymeric latex can beselected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers or copolymers,vinyl acetate polymers or copolymers, polyester polymers or copolymers,vinylidene chloride polymers or copolymers, butadiene polymers orcopolymers, polystyrene polymers or copolymers, styrene-butadienepolymers or copolymers and acrylonitrile-butadiene polymers orcopolymers. The latex components are in the form of a polymeric latexliquid suspension. Such polymeric latex liquid suspension can contain aliquid (such as water and/or other liquids) and polymeric latexparticulates having a size ranging from about 20 nm to about 500 nm orranging from about 100 nm to about 300 nm.

To further illustrate the present disclosure, examples are given herein.It is to be understood that these examples are provided for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of thepresent disclosure.

EXAMPLES

Examples of the fabric printable medium disclosed herein are prepared.Two comparative example fabric media are also prepared. Both examplemedia and comparative media have a fabric base substrate that is a 100%polyester fabric, and the polyester strands has a plain weave. The basisweight is 105 gsm.

Each of the example fabric printable media (MF1, MF1a and MF2) and thecomparative example media (MF1b, MF1c, MF3 and MF4) are coated with afinishing composition (F1 to F4) in a dry pick up weight of 1.5 gsm.Table 1 shows the composition of the finishing composition (F1 and F2are finishing compositions according to the present disclosure; F3 andF4 are comparative examples).

The pick-up of each finishing composition is 1.5 gsm. All formulation F1to F4 contains water in an amount that adjust to appropriate solidscontent (Balance of formulation). The pick-up study is performed byadjusting solids content of surface finishing composition to obtain thetargeted dry pick up weight as illustrate in Table 3.

TABLE 1 Finishing composition Surface Rheology Polymeric compound Exam-tension control Chemical Amount ples control agent gent name and Tg (dryparts) F1 Byk-Dynwet ® Tylose ® H Sancure ® 90 800 100000 YP2 2310 (fromBYK), (from HsinEtsu (from Lubrizol) 0.2 dry parts co), 0.34 parts Tg =−23° C. F2 Byk-Dynwet ® Tylose ® H Texicryl ® 90 800 100000 YP2 13-220(from BYK), (from HsinEtsu (from Scott 0.2 dry parts co), 0.34 partsBader) Tg = −25° C. F3 Byk-Dynwet ® Tylose ® H Raycat ® 90 (compar- 800100000 YP2 78 (from ative) (from BYK), (from HsinEtsu Specialty 0.2 dryparts co), 0.34 parts Polymers) Tg = 98° C. F4 Byk-Dynwet ® Tylose ® HRoven ® 4475 90 (compar- 800 100000 YP2 (from Mallard ative) (from BYK),(from HsinEtsu Creek 0.2 dry parts co), 0.34 parts Polymers) Tg = 21° C.

The finishing coating is made by depositing the finishing composition onthe fabric base substrate using a lab Methis padder with the speed of 5meters per minute, and then the applied composition is dried using an IRoven with peak temperature 120° C. Each of the example fabric printablemedia (MF1 and MF2) and the comparative example media (MF3 and MF4) iscoated with a waterproofing composition. Table 2 shows the compositionof the waterproof composition.

TABLE 2 Waterproofing Composition Component Parts Type SpecificComponent (by dry weight) Waterproof Phobol ® 100 agent (from HuntsmanInternational LLC) Physical Tylose ® HS30000 Adjust to Networking (fromSE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG) appropriate Agent viscosity Balance of WaterAdjust to formulation appropriate solids content

After padding the finishing composition, the back side waterproofcomposition is applied by a Methis lab blade coater equipped with an IRdryer. The blade used is a 90-degree flat blade. For both paddingoperations, the padding pressure is 50 PSI, speed setting is 0.25, anddryer temperature is 100° C., 120° C. and 90° C. for each zone.

Fabric printable medium sample are produced: each comprises awaterproofing composition and a finishing composition (F1 to F4). Themedia samples MF1, MF2 and MF1a are media samples according to thepresent disclosure. The media samples MF3, MF4, MF1b and MF1c arecomparative samples.

The finishing composition F1 is used for dry pick-up weight study beyondstandard dry pick up weight 1.5 gsm. Table 3 summaries results for drycoat-weight of various coatings weight applied to the examples (MF1 andMF1a) and comparative examples (MF1b and MF1c). All four examples havethe same surface finishing composition (formulation F1) but differentdry pick weight. The coat-weight of the waterproof coating of theexamples ranges from 1.5 gsm to 2 gsm for media samples MF1, MF2 andMF1a, and the coat-weight of the waterproof coating on the comparativeexamples ranged from greater than 2 gsm to 5 gsm (media samples MF1b,MF1c).

TABLE 3 MEDIA Dry Coat-Weight Waterproof Coating SAMPLE of FinishingCoating (Dry Coat-Weight) MF1 1.5 gsm 1.5 to 2 gsm MF1a 3.3 gsm 1.5 to 2gsm MF1b 7.3 gsm  2 to 5 gsm MF1c 11.6 gsm   2 to 5 gsm

Images are printed on each of the media using latex inks and an HP L-560printer. The example and comparative example media are tested forporosity, hole openness under microscopy, media gloss, black opticaldensity, 72 color gamut, coin scratch, dry rub, folding resistance, andwind resistance.

Porosity is measured by testing the air flow (mL/min) through the mediumper Tappi method T526 (e.g., using a Hagerty Technologies instrument(from Technidyne)) or per Tappi method T-555 (e.g., using a ParkerPrint-Surf instrument (from Testing Machines, Inc.)). Hole openness isevaluated under microscope, and these results are given a rating of5=best (open pores) and 1=worst (pores closed). Media gloss is testedusing a gloss meter from BYK Gardner, which measures gloss at 60°. Blackoptical density measures the black color intensity and is measured usingan X-rite spectrodensitometer from X-Rite Inc. 72 color gamut tests theportion of the color space that is represented or reproduced, and, inthis example, is tested using a Gregtag/Mcbeth Spectrolina Spectroscanor a Barberie. The coin scratch is tested using a round metal piece thatis dragged against the ink to demonstrate its resistance to removal(Taber Industries, 5750 linear Abraser, used coin holder). These resultsare given a rating of 5=best (no ink removal) and 1=worst (ink removed).The dry rub is tested using a cloth wrapped on one end of solid cylindersurface that comes in contact on the ink and is rubbed back and forth 5times with certain weight ranging from 180 g to 800 g (Taber Industries,5750 linear Abraser, used coin holder and cloth). These results aregiven a rating of 5=best (no ink removal) and 1=worst (ink removed).Folding resistance is tested by folding the medium like a bed sheet 4times, and then placing a 20-pound weight on the folded medium for 30minutes. These results are given a rating of 5=best (no ink removal) and1=worst (ink removed/white lines formed). Tables 4 and 5 illustrates theresults.

TABLE 4 Media 72 Sample Media Black Optical Color Coin Dry Folding IDGloss Density (KOD) Gamut Scratch Rub Resistance MF1 3.4 1.25 ~255K 4 43.5 MF2 3.8 1.31 ~267K 4.5 4 3.8 MF3 6.5 1.42 ~285K 1 3 1 MF4 5.3 1.37~259K 2.5 3 2

TABLE 5 Media Porosity By Coin Dry Folding Sample ID Hole OpennessScratch Rub Resistance MF1 5 - open 4 4 3.5 MF1a 4 - reasonably open 3.54 3 MF1b 2.5 - partially closed 2.5 3 2 MF1c 1 - closed 1 4 1

It is found that surface finishing with the media with polymericcompound according to the present disclosure have better overallperformance.

It is to be understood that the ranges provided herein include thestated range and any value or sub-range within the stated range. Forexample, from about 40° C. to about 100° C. should be interpreted toinclude not only the explicitly recited limits of from about 40° C. toabout 100° C., but also to include individual values, such as about55.5° C., about 77.74° C., about 84° C., about 95° C., etc., andsub-ranges, such as from about 46° C. to about 86° C., from about 60.5°C. to about 90.5° C., etc. Furthermore, when “about” is utilized todescribe a value, this is meant to encompass minor variations (up to+/−10%) from the stated value.

Reference throughout the specification to “one example”, “anotherexample”, “an example”, and so forth, means that a particular element(e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described inconnection with the example is included in at least one exampledescribed herein, and may or may not be present in other examples. Inaddition, it is to be understood that the described elements for anyexample may be combined in any suitable manner in the various examplesunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In describing andclaiming the examples disclosed herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

1. A fabric printable medium, comprising: a. a fabric base substrateincluding yarn strands and voids among the yarn strands; b. a finishingcoating, attached to the yarn strands of the fabric base substrate, toform coated yarn strands, the finishing coating including a polymericcompound or a mixture of polymeric compounds having a glass transitiontemperature is less than 15° C.; and c. pore spaces, among the coatedyarn strands, that are coinciding with at least some of the voids of thefabric base substrate.
 2. The fabric printable medium as defined inclaim 1 wherein the finishing coating has a dry coat-weight of 6 gsm orless.
 3. The fabric printable medium as defined in claim 1 wherein, inthe finishing coating, the polymeric compound or mixture of polymericcompounds have a glass transition temperature is less than 5° C.
 4. Thefabric printable medium as defined in claim 1 wherein, in the finishingcoating, the polymeric compound is selected from the group consisting ofpolyacrylate, polyurethane, vinyl-urethane, acrylic urethane,polyurethane-acrylic, polyether polyurethane, polyester polyurethane,polycaprolactam polyurethane, polyether polyurethane, polyamine, and acombination thereof.
 5. The fabric printable medium as defined in claim1 wherein, in the finishing coating, the polymeric compound includes apolyurethane polymer.
 6. The fabric printable medium as defined in claim1 wherein the finishing coating is coated on surfaces of the yarnstrands throughout a depth of the fabric base substrate.
 7. The fabricprintable medium as defined in claim 1 wherein the finishing coating isan aqueous dispersion having a solid content of 8 wt % or less.
 8. Thefabric printable medium as defined in claim 1, further comprising awaterproof coating attached to a back-side of the coated yarn strands.9. The fabric printable medium as defined in claim 8 wherein thewaterproof coating has a contact angle greater than 60°.
 10. The fabricprintable medium as defined in claim 8 wherein the waterproof coatinghas a surface energy of less than 40 mJ/m².
 11. The fabric printablemedium as defined in claim 8 wherein the waterproof coating includes: a.a physical networking agent selected from the group consisting of anacrylate copolymer, a polyacrylic acid copolymer, a polyether copolymer,a polyurethane copolymer, and combinations thereof, the physicalnetworking agent having a weight average molecular weight from 300,000Mw to 1,000,000 Mw; and b. a waterproof agent selected from the groupconsisting of polyvinylidene chloride, a polyolefin, poly(ethyleneterephthalate), a wax, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoicacid, a hydrogen siloxane, a long chain hydrocarbon, and a modifiedfatty resin.
 12. A method for forming a fabric printable medium,comprising applying a finishing composition, including a polymericcompound or a mixture of polymeric compounds having a glass transitiontemperature is less than 15° C., to yarn strands of a fabric basesubstrate, that includes yarn strands and voids among the yarn strands,thereby forming a finishing coating attached to the yarn strands of thefabric base substrate to form coated yarn strands and pore spaces amongthe coated yarn strands that coincide with at least some voids of thefabric base substrate.
 13. The method as defined in claim 12 wherein theapplication of the finishing composition is applied at dry coat-weightof 6 gsm or less.
 14. The method as defined in claim 12, furthercomprising applying a waterproofing composition to a back-side of thecoated yarn strands, thereby forming a waterproof coating.
 15. Aprinting method, comprising: a. obtaining a fabric printable mediumincluding a fabric base substrate including yarn strands and voids amongthe yarn strands; a finishing coating attached to the yarn strands ofthe fabric base substrate to form coated yarn strands, the finishingcoating including a polymeric compound or a mixture of polymericcompounds having a glass transition temperature is less than 15° C.; andpore spaces among the coated yarn strands and coinciding with at leastsome of the voids of the fabric base substrate; and b. applying an inkcomposition onto an image-side of the coated yarn strands to form aprinted image.